:
1To ME he granted life [he], who spread out this light (and drew together
that brightness), graciously of God spread out.
I was glad, rejoicing, arrayed colours, joys with colours, of the flowers
colours.
5 Men beheld me, feasts never failed, rejoiced [in their] gift of live;
horses with rich trappings carried [them]
across plains of joy courses, in joy,
with long paces of limps.
Then was fruits awaked, the world endowed with swift shoots
10 under the heaven spread out, [God's] wise power overspread,
men went about, joined together in conversation,
continued in joy, arrayed selves with desire.
By the action of wide choice appointed ship,
whose course was on the sea, where ship deserted me not.
l5 I possessed high rank, in hall I lacked nothing,
there rode the strong hearted company of men,
there man often experienced that he beheld weight of treasure in hall
useful noblemen - while I was in power
brave men praised me, saved me during war,
20 upheld me in handsome manner, defended me from enemies.
So my hope and grace was supported, surrounded comitatus,
possessed firm possessions, ruled goings.
Even thus the earth gave nourishment, I possessed high seat,
spoke words having power. Ancient peace failed not to give nourishment
25 on the contrary the year was constant in gifts - harp string resounding
continuing in faith and cut off the river of affliction.
Men were keen, the harp was sounding clear,
resounded loudly, sound re-echoed (the heavens rang with melody),
not greatly diminished.
30 The hall shook, splendid courageous virtue towered up
and increased, wealth was a beacon,
[for] lords wisdom came, brave things became good.
Pride gained strength, mind rejoiced,
good faith flourished, glory brought good fortune,
35 glory made glad prosperous,
gold was made ready, jewel was ever present,
treasure was deceitful, kinship brought oppression.
I was brave in war trappings, noble in array,
my joy was noble, in assured joy way of life;
40 I upheld and protected the land, I was benevolent [to] the people
for a long time my life was resting on and intensive holding
fast glory among people.
Now my heart is distressed, fearful departing of fair colour,
inescapable troubles near. What was excellent in former day
45 departs in the night into flight; moves now pervasively deep
in inner being burning treasure, grown in the breasts,
and fled, melted away. Evil has greatly bloomed
in thoughts, endless lamentation
attacks the nature of the heart and burns, equally dammed
50 burns eager for evil, runs about bitterly.
The far journey begins, gives birth to weary struggles,
affliction ceases,
his glory ceases, parting from joys,
parting from skills, does not go in accordance with desire.
55 So here joys fall away, nobilities collapse,
here men lose life, often take sins to themselves;
seasons is all too evil. Infirm has sunk down.
throve ill mountainous in horror, and all has constantly sunk down.
So now the world changes, sends out fate
60 and hatred's pursues, brings noble men to ruin.
The kindred of joy departs, the tear spear and slaughters,
contends evilly determined; iniquity prepares the arrow;
pledge bites distress (the brave old obstructs the success;
time of misery flourishes), anger defiles oath.
65 Persistent affliction spreads widely, the ship sails out of deceit,
grief digs lamentation, engraved power possesses.
Deceitful whiteness becomes soil, the heat of the summer turns cold.
richness of the land falls away, enmity surges up,
the strength of the earth grows old, courageous virtue becomes cold.
70 For me fate wove this and gave the deed
that I should dig my grave, and a grim grave
my flesh cannot flee. When arrow-hastening seizes the day
with inescapable grips, when night falls
which grudges me my dwelling, mocks my home here
75 the body lies dead here concerning my accusers
the grave-worm devours bodily parts and he experiences joy
and takes feast until these bones remain only.
And at last nothing except the necessary evilly lot obtained here as one's
Not is the fame fallen away. The sooner the blessed thinks about
80 the more often he undertakes penance,
keeps him off the bitter sin, thinks of the better joys,
calls of the joy of true rewards.
Here are joys in mercies in assured joys in the kingdom of heaven.
Let us now hasten, holy as like separated from sins,
85 protected and departed from all evils,
gloriously to where mankind can, in the presence of the Lord
exalted to see the true God and to rejoice in peace forever.